Peacefulness is being calm inside.
Take time for daily reflection and gratitude.
Solve conflicts so everyone wins.
Be a peacemaker.
Peace is giving up the love of power for the power of love.
Peace in the world begins with peace in your heart.

If you are looking for something new, then come share an evening with poets, singers, musicians, and indulge in something different…

If you love Poetry, Spoken Word, R&B and live instruments, then you would want to be here on March 8th, 2014. Your ticket will include food with Butler Style Catering, two complimentary drinks, a spoken word show with a live band playing soulful music, raffle prizes, free parking, a kissing booth, networking, and dancing.

Date: March 8th, 2014
Time: Doors Open at 7pm est. Show begins at 8:20p.
Location: 1710 Defoor Avenue, Atlanta.

Performers are: Karee, JaeSun the Apostle, Noel, Mimosa, Tina ATL, & Simon Stone, Butter B Rocka, Kim Joyce, Poet

Hosted by: Extremity and Berry B

Music provided by: DJ Motor City, Angelo, & CJ Baker Band

Raffles: Gift Baskets and Gift Certificates.

This is a Purple Carpet Photography event so come sharp and on your square. Please rsvp ASAP so they can order the appropriate amount of food and drinks.

This event will be filmed.  Partial proceeds will be donated to the American Heart Association.  For tickets: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/love-indulgence-tickets-9775118643.  For more info contact Extremity at: 404.403.2726 or JaeQwon at: 770.557.4245.

Your feelings about money are relevant when you look at compatibility factors with a potential mate.  Your opinions about money are just as important as your opinions about children and sex.  Specifically, you might want to know these answers about yourself and the man or woman you are interested in:

• How much money is enough for you?
• What are your goals regarding income, financial success, and retirement?
• How much do you like to spend?  How much do you like to save?
• How important is money to you and why?
• What is your lifestyle now and what vision do you have for lifestyle in the future?

There’s a certain stigma attached to what I call a “churchy” woman. In other words, we’d call this person an over the top fanatic. The stigma is that a churchy woman isn’t fun. That she is uptight. She could possibly be bitter. Lastly a guy might also think that he couldn’t ever get any buns with you while dating. That’s a real concern for many.  All of the above could absolutely be untrue.  In  fact, Dr. J touched on a similar subject here. You could be a woman that’s into everything equally. You just have to show that.

Men are very lighthearted people.

We dream of a woman we can just be easy with. It’s why we dream of the impossible woman that’ll never stress us. Since we know we can’t have that we look for the lady who stresses us the least. In turn that woman should be who we have the most fun with. Now there may be men reading this who say “I need me a God-fearing woman!” I’m not saying that there’s anything wrong with that. Whoever we decide to share our lives with needs to be in sync with our beliefs. I will say that if you want your girl solely preaching all the time then you’re in the minority. If you want a woman who doesn’t like to have fun you’re in the minority.

I’m just looking to help. If there are any single religious ladies reading this, know that I want you to be encouraged. If you’re heavy in church and what not it’s fine. Ease us into that side of you. You have got to snag us with your personality. You have to exemplify balance. To the ladies who are religious but don’t bombard someone with your beliefs initially, you’re appreciated. In fact, I would like to know your levels of success in dating. Because in a guy’s mind, if all your Instagram posts are Bible verses, then he’ll likely think that’s all you have to talk about.

If  your statuses harken that you need no man then it’ll turn us off. That’s the last thing we want ladies. We have got to see some balance in who you are. Balance in your interests. Guys may take your expression of spirituality the wrong way. It could come off as if you don’t want to find that happiness with someone. Guys hate feeling not needed. It’s a substantial reason why a man may have reservations for a “church woman. There’s no need to ever change your faith. There’s no need  for a guy to influence how you praise or anything. But upon meeting someone, I believe easing someone into who you are in that realm would do you more good than harm.

To my fellas, do you agree with my sentiment? Are there any ladies who think they’ve scared men off this way? Well let’s get into it.

Reblogged from www.singleblackmale.org, SOURCE

Related Article: Why Men Don’t Go to Church

She may be in her 50′s and divorced, but Anita Baker still gets out to meet new single men.

The singer is among those in the American population waiting for the right companion. But she’s not the conventional type who tries to force a spark or fish for chemistry. She says it’s got to be organic.

“I meet a lot of people and you exchange energy and somebody may call you and you call someone and you develop a relationship out of a relationship, out of a friendship or a peer group,” she shares

“And then you end up having a cocktail sometime, or having a cup of coffee, and that turns into, ‘Well, call me later, ‘ ‘Well, OK, yeah, I’ll call you too!’ There is no dating. It’s very organic. And I love that. You know, nobody’s like, ‘I gotta get a date. It’s Saturday.’”

Being single isn’t far from heaven, the singer explained.

“My sons are out of the nest, you know, both of them, come September,” she states. “I’m traveling more, I’m meeting new people. I’m finding that in this stage of my life, a love life is richer. In my perspective, the people that I’m meeting, it’s not so anxious. It’s not so immediate. It’s just very relaxed.”

Anita’s eighth album, “Only Forever,” will be out soon.

Reposted from EURweb.

You don’t marry one person,  you marry three:
1) the person you think they are
2) the person they are, and
3) the person they are going to become as a result of being married to you

People often confuse loneliness with isolation. When pressed, most people struggle with the difference. There are three levels of isolation. They are:

1. People are physically separated or have minimal contact with others.
2. People interact on a more personal level i.e. the workplace. There is a familiarity, maybe even some affection, and a common goal they share. This is also experienced in social groups, and community activities.
3. There is real bonding and a connectedness that expresses deep love and commitment. That sense of acceptance is what all of us need as young children in order to feel whole. Most of us, however, missed that critical piece from our parents when we were young children and spend a life time yearning for it without identifying it.

Source:  Your Tango

Health, healing, and happiness, currently a global trend, is a personal commitment to yourself and your community. No matter you’re your age, we could all benefit. Healing is necessary for positive relationships.  With our collective history of family separation, enslavement, and disenfranchisement, we are at risk. Whether we know it or not, many of us need to heal from trauma first before we make a long-term, loving commitment to another.

Trauma is a response to a deeply distressing or disturbing experience.  By the time we become adults, many of us have experienced multiple traumatic events. When an outside threat is too much to manage, it can affect many areas of our lives.

Trauma is unique to each individual.  The type of psychological distress and unhealthy coping behavior can vary. Trauma can be caused by several things happening in our lives related to:  family, finances, health, relationships, natural disasters, and other activities, especially those that we feel we can’t control.

Youth are particularly vulnerable to trauma. Adolescence is a time of significant physical and psychological changes, and changing dynamics in family and peer relationships. These changes can have major effects. Trauma can affect physical heath.  For example, unresolved trauma as a child can make you sick as an adult.

We can improve our lives by healing. Healing helps you to release the trauma and move on in a positive way. Five easy ways to incorporate healing:

• Spend more time with people who make you feel optimistic
• Use the ocean to cleanse and restore yourself
• Seek help in a supportive environment
• Choose natural foods that nourish both your spirit and your body
• Move your body through dance, exercise, and walking

WE NEED MORE LOVE IN OUR COMMUNITIES.
The Goal of African American Matchmaking:  To Help You Find a Loving Relationship!

African American Matchmaking is a company that promotes Black Love:
Advice, Inspiration and Matchmaking Services

Have you ever wondered…?

The third eye (also known as the inner eye) is a mystical and esoteric concept referring to a speculative invisible eye which provides perception beyond ordinary sight. In certain dharmic spiritual traditions such as Hinduism, the third eye refers to the ajna, or brow, chakra. In Theosophy, it is related to the pineal gland. The third eye refers to the gate that leads to inner realms and spaces of higher consciousness.

In New Age spirituality, the third eye often symbolizes a state of enlightenment or the evocation of mental images having deeply personal spiritual or psychological significance. The third eye is often associated with religious visions, clairvoyance, the ability to observe chakras and auras, precognition, and out-of-body experiences. People who are claimed to have the capacity to utilize their third eyes are sometimes known as seers.

Your third eye is located between your eyes on the lower part of your forehead.  We can all learn to be seers.  For dating, you can use your third eye to:

Sense the character and intentions of someone you are interested in.

Everyone radiates a field of energy.  These vibrations can be positive (they make you feel good and safe) or negative (there is conflict, a sense of uneasiness, and even sickness).  Learning to be a seer means learning to trust your intuition above “rational” thought and being sensitive to your environment. Importantly, it also means responding to who people are, not simply responding to who people say they are.  Some questions to ask yourself:

1. Is this someone I am really interested in or am I lonely?
2. Do I see this person integrated into my life and us both being happy?
3. Do I sense longevity and stability with this person?

Read more about the Third Eye.

When we get used to something or someone, we tend to focus attention on other things.  This can be natural and biological. Because our senses have become accustomed or desensitized to the lack of newness, we can walk right by it like a piece of furniture.  Do you sometimes feel like a piece of furniture?

As evolved human beings, we need to be conscious of the need to pay attention when we are with someone significant to us.  There are subtleties and nuances to each of our lives and due to the time continuum and the biology of how the cells in our body regenerate, we are never truly the same exact person tomorrow.

When your partner fails to see you, it does not automatically mean that s/he doesn’t care. However, it is slippery slope toward being taken for granted.  Most of us want a mate that cares enough to notice us.  Here are 5 ways to tell if your mate is truly seeing you:

1. You receive compliments that are specific about your appearance, especially something new such as a hairstyle, piece of clothing, jewelry, etc.
2. Your partner notices when your emotional well-being shifts and asks questions out of concern.
3. When you are touched, the touch goes deeper than the superficial; there is warmth, recognition, and healing.
4. You receive positive attention from your partner at various points throughout the day and week, despite being “busy.”
5. Your partner can describe your job, dreams, and highest aspirations.

Picture yourself in a loving relationship.

You first separate yourself from the body; then you identify yourself with the mind, and then you function on the mental plane, with this fine body just as you do on this physical plane.

Through concentration, you rise above the body-consciousness; through meditation, you rise above mind; and finally through Samadhi, you realize your spiritual nature.

These are three important exercises of Antaranga sadhana in the achievements of Kaivalya, the final beautitude. You can, by mere willing alone, travel to any place you like with the astral body and there materialize by drawing the necessary elements either from Ahankara or the universal storehouse, the ocean of Tanmatras.

The process is very, very simple to occultists and Yogis who know the rationale, the detailed technique of the various operations.

Read Article…

In the wild, the alpha is the one with the highest rank.  Most social animals, including humans, have identified alphas in the community to whom they pay much respect.  The king of the jungle can usually have the female of his choice, sometimes even more than one.  But what about the alpha female?

The alpha female seems to have it all-except love. You know you are an alpha female if:

1. You are often the leader in your group; professionally, socially or both.
2. The word “empowerment” has been in your vocabulary since birth.
3. You have a hard time finding and keeping romantic relationships.
4. You have been told that you or your success can be “intimidating” to men.
5. You are a highly valued asset to your organization.

Both males and females can be alphas.  However, unlike alpha males, alpha females do not usually have an easy time finding a partner because they don’t fit traditional feminine roles.   Alpha females are often very successful and lovely, yet have a reputation for being aggressive, even domineering.  Ironically, these same traits are highly valued in alpha males.

While men are generally attracted to the alpha female, she tends to frighten them with her power.  Therefore, alpha females tend to exert the most influence among her female peers rather than with the opposite sex.  For example, many alpha females have “fans” or followers who are part of her regular social network; she leads and they follow. But we all know that alpha women need love, too!

Are alpha females “unmatchable”? Absolutely not.  We can all find our match.  In fact, when alpha males and females unite, they are known as an alpha pair, think “power couple.”  Alphas don’t have to pair with each other in order for the relationship to be rewarding, long-lasting, and successful.  In fact, this might not be ideal because some alphas will compete with each other instead of focusing on their loving union to uplift each other.

Alpha females need to be matched with someone who appreciates and genuinely respects their alpha qualities.  The relationship won’t work if he says he does, but in reality, he just doesn’t.  Alpha females should also be aware of being led (consciously or unconsciously) by the biological clock.  Alpha females don’t panic and they don’t settle.  It is important for alpha females to walk away from men who are intimidated by them and gravitate toward men who embrace alpha women.  Don’t worry, there are many!

How to Find & Choose the Right Man

When you enter into a relationship, you take a chance that you will either break up with this person or be with them forever.  Both outcomes can be exciting and scary.  When you lose trust in your partner, you lose trust in the relationship. Then, you have three choices:

1. Do nothing
2. Build trust back up again
3. Leave the relationship

It can help to be prepared for the outcome and understand the time it takes for something to be reborn or die.  This time is often based on your personality and the investment you made in your relationship.

Also, you can analyze your options and its impact on your life. Above all, it is useful to trust your intuition and realize that love in real life can be just as messy and unpredictable as it is kind and euphoric.

It is important to keep our bodies fit and be healthy.  But self-development is not limited to the outside.  Focusing on the development of your inner self is what makes your external self shine.

Reblogged from How NOT to Write a Love Letter:

These dos and don’ts can help:

Do…

• Take your time. Writing a love letter is too nice a job to rush.
• Share your real feelings. This is no time to be shy.
• Write in your own everyday voice–your reader wants to hear your voice, not an imitation of someone else’s.
• Give some thought to how your reader might react. How well do you know him or her? Are you declaring your love for the first time, or are you both so in love you’re walking on air? Don’t spoil the spontaneity, but make sure what you write seems appropriate to the level of your relationship.
• Remember to say “I love you”!

Don’t…

• Don’t worry that you’re “not a good writer.” You’re as good as you need to be!
• Don’t say anything you don’t mean. It’s easy to go over the top when you’re writing a love letter. Be sure you’re being honest to yourself.
• Don’t be afraid to say silly things. If you love the way she slams the car door or the way he chops vegetables, say so.
• Don’t be creepy. If you’re writing to someone who doesn’t have any idea how you feel, don’t go overboard describing your feelings and your desires.
• Don’t put it in an e-mail. This is love we’re talking about, for heaven’s sake. Invest in a nice card or writing paper, and write it out by hand. A love letter is a kind of gift–make it a tangible object they can slip under their pillow, save in their wallet, or otherwise treasure forever.
• Don’t chicken out! Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

A personalized handwritten love letter means so much more than a pre-printed card. With a little courage and a little effort, you can make your love the happiest person in the world!

1. Celebrate your partner’s success. This makes you and your mate feel good and epitomizes the notion of partnership.

2. Say “thank you.” Expressing gratitude for both the big things and the little things that you do for each other keeps you from taking each other for granted.

3. Combine sexy with romantic. Both are important by themselves, but when sexy attitude and romantic gestures combine, the real magic begins.

Do you believe in healthy and happy marriages?  Whether you are looking to get married or “been there, done that,” these are things to think about as you set the foundation for a loving, long-lasting relationship.

Solution 1: Arguing Smart
Right-fighting or fighting to be right is a waste of energy and offers a disrespectful stance. Stay on topic and don’t include past problems or topics which are not related to the subject at hand.

Solution 2: Respect and Love and Communicate
Without respect there is no true love. Valuing our unique individualism is always worthy of respect.  Always encourage each other by giving what you would like to get in return.

Solution 3:  Lighten Up
While marriage is a big step with many responsibilities attached, it is important to let the joys of life filter in and around daily living.

Solution 4: Setting the Harmonious Stage
Setting the stage for a happy marriage takes vision, patience, compromise and complete dedication to its designed purpose.

Read the entire article: 4 Simple Ways to Keep Your Marriage AwesomeDumb Little Man 

Baby I just don’t get it, do you enjoy being hurt?
I know you smelled the perfume, the make-up on his shirt
You don’t believe his stories, you know that they’re all lies
Bad as you are, you stick around and I just don’t know why

If I was ya man
(Baby you)
Never worry ’bout
(What I do)
I’d be coming home
(Back to you)
(Every night, doin’ you right)

You’re the type of woman
(Deserves good things)
Fistful of diamonds
(Hand full of rings)
Baby, you’re a star
(I just want to show you, you are)

You should let me love you
Let me be the one to give you everything you want and need
Baby good love and protection
Make me your selection
Show you the way love’s supposed to be
Baby you should let me love you,
love you,
love you,
love you,
yeah

Listen
Your true beauty’s description looks so good that it hurts
You’re a dime plus ninety-nine and it’s a shame
Don’t even know what you’re worth
Everywhere you go they stop and stare
‘Cause you’re bad and it shows
From your head to your toes, out of control, baby you know

If I was your man
(Baby you)
Never worry ’bout
(What I do)
I’d be coming home
(Back to you)
(Every night, doin’ you right)

You’re the type of woman
(Deserves good things)
Fistful of diamonds
(Hand full of rings)
Baby, you’re a star
(I just want to show you, who you are)

You should let me love you
Let me be the one to give you everything you want and need
Ooh baby good love and protection
Ooh make me your selection show you the way love’s supposed to be

Baby you should let me
(You deserve better girl)
You know you deserve better
(We should be together girl)
Baby, with me and you it’s whatever girl, hey
So can we make this thing ours?

You should let me love you
Let me be the one to give you everything you want and need
(Let me be the one to give, everything you need)
Good love and protection
(Said everything)
Make me your selection
(Will you take me baby)
Show you the way love’s supposed to be

(Baby you should let me love you)
You should let me love you
Let me be the one to give you everything you want and need
(I’ll give you everything)
That good love and protection
Make me your selection show you the way love’s supposed to be
(Hey)

You should let me love you
(Love you)
Let me be the one to give you everything you want and need
(The one to, everything you need)
That good love and protection
(Protection)
Make me your selection show you the way love’s supposed to be
(Selection baby)
(Yeah)

Let me love you
That’s all you need baby